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MLB trade rumors: 5 teams who should trade for Marcus Stroman

By Joshua Sadlock

DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 01: Starting pitcher Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 01, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 01: Starting pitcher Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 01, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 27: Houston Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) delivers the pitch in the first inning of a baseball game between the Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs during a MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park in May 27, 2019, in Houston, TX. Astros defeated Chicago Cubs 5-6. (Photo by Juan DeLeon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 27: Houston Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) delivers the pitch in the first inning of a baseball game between the Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs during a MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park in May 27, 2019, in Houston, TX. Astros defeated Chicago Cubs 5-6. (Photo by Juan DeLeon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Houston Astros

Houston is quickly becoming the place to be for any pitcher, young or old, to remake himself with the power of analytics. It is an especially great place to be for a pitcher who relies heavily on his ability to generate movement and spin on his fastball like Marcus Stroman does. No matter how you look at it, the Astros have found a way to make nearly every single pitcher on their roster better through the use of data.

Spin rate isn’t necessarily everything, but it is very important for a starter whose best pitch is his two-seam fastball. Stroman falls into that category, much like two other starters who experienced great success in Houston, Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton. Keuchel spent his entire career with the Astros up until this season, but Morton experienced a career revival in his mid-30s after landing in Houston.

The Astros still have one of the deepest farm systems in the league, led by Forrest Whitley, Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez, who rank ninth, 10th and 11th in MLB’s top-100 list. That type of talent would have the Blue Jays drooling and ready to drive Stroman to the airport on the spot. The Astros may hesitate to part with one of those three for the right-hander, however, given he has been injured or mediocre in two of the last four seasons.

If the Astros set their sights on Stroman, they do have the firepower to blow away the rest of the field. Their ultimate target may be Noah Syndergaard, but he may not be made available. The Astros don’t have to get desperate for a starter, and won’t overpay unless they feel a trade would effectively make them the odds-on favorite to win the AL pennant. Stroman isn’t quite that type of pitcher, no matter how good he has been this year.

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